Common moving mistakes

Moving to a new place can be a time consuming and costly process. However, it doesn't have to be. There are some common mistakes that most people make that can often be avoided, according to moving expert John Michal.

The first is not requesting estimates from several different companies, Michal said. Cutting down on costs is on a lot of people's minds these days because of the current economic climate. Talking to a number of different companies will ensure that a consumer is not overpaying.

However, choosing one service just because it offers the lowest price is not always the right choice. In some instances, there might be other hidden charges that aren't immediately apparent to the consumer, Michal said. Asking for customer references can help avoid this problem.

Another common mistake is buying inexpensive moving boxes, Michal said. Purchasing packing equipment that isn't sturdy is likely to result in damaged belongings, which can end up costing more to replace than buying quality boxes would have to begin with.